1. Despite our recent playoff failures we are still not many pieces away from a true cup contender. Yes, LA have some good youngsters but they havent proven anything. They had a decent season last year but almost choked away their playoff spot in the second half of the season. The Devils are guaranteed a playoff spot every single season practically.

2. NJ is closer to Mother Russia capital city than LA, which is better for his mother or family to come over.

3. The NY metro area has more Russians than does LA - by far.

4. Kovy is a family man. He can spend much more time with his two small children playing in our division. Away games in our division dont mean staying in that city over night. He can be home with the fam after each game. Cant do that in LA.

5. Kovy is also a competitor. You can see his enthusiasm when we played the Rags. You can tell he would love games at MSG, Philly. Hes also got games agst Crosby, Ovechkin...games at Mtl, Toronto, and Atlanta (where he still has a home and many friends). LA cannot offer that. The Atlantic Division is the most exciting division to be in.

6. He knows our organization already and has played with Volchenkov and Hedberg. He raved about Lemaire and his wealth of knowledge. Well, Larry Robinson (altho a defensive coach) can offer mental advice to Kovy. Hes also got an offensive minded coach in Johnny Mac.

You can argue LA has a brighter future but id disagree. Afterall, we have the young Parise, who is in the upper class of NHL talent. LA cant say they have a player in his class. Lou just had to tell Kovy he will lock Zach up asap and shed dead weight salary later. So, i just dont see what LA offers except more money lol...but i dont think Kovy is that type of guy.

LA can't say they have a player in his class???? Do you follow the Kings??? Drew Doughty Norris Candidate? Dustin Brown? Anze Kopitar??

The biggest thing LA offers that we can't: He wants to play in LA.

Edited by MantaRay, 02 July 2010 - 10:13 AM.

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I was wrong to ever doubt the powers of Lou Lamoriello.
IN LOU WE TRUST @Manta04

Kovy has a short list of teams he wants to sign with. Did last seaon hurt him...that one is hard for me to say. I mean the guy averaged a point per game while here, he was one of the biggest names the Devils ever traded for so I think its unfair to say he didnt work out. Like I said, a point per game and people expected alot more from him like he was going to score a hat trick every night. How long did it take for the Devils players themselves to stop standing around watching him?

It's so hard to tell what will happen. Part of me thinks the longer this drags out with LA the more of a chance NJ has to sign him because Kovy and LA could start to disagree on certain things and it could turn into more of an arbitration hearing and get ugly. But on the other hand with LA not appearing to do too much right now with the free agents they could be locking the deal down with a hush hush verbal agreement.

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"Actually I dont remeber being born, it must have happened during one of my blackouts." Jim Morrison